Index-card drawer.



A. J. RUDOLPH.

INDEX CARD DRAWER.

APPLICATION IILBD SEPT. 1, 1910.

Patented May 30, 1911.

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ALEXANDER J. RUDOLPH, OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS.

INDEX-CARD DRAWER.

Application filed September 1, 1910.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER J. RU- DOLPH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmette, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Index-Card Drawers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in drawers or receptacles for index cards.

in the present state of the art these drawers or receptacles are designed to receive cards of uniform sizes or dimensions and consequently when the cards vary in both lateral or vertical dimensions separate drawers or receptacles become necessary, this is especially the case where the vertical dimensions of the cards vary, because it is important that the top edges of the cards should present a substantially level or horizontal position.

My invention has for its object to provide a drawer or receptacle which shall be adapted to receive cards of varying dimensions both vertically and laterally, and to maintain them in substantially vertical position with their upper extremities in level or substantially the same plane.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafter and in detail explained.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may know how to make and appreciate the advantages of my improved drawer or receptacle I will proceed to describe the same, referring to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of a drawer or receptacle embodying the features of my invent-ion. Figs. 2, 3 and 4: are elevations of cards of varying dimensions both vertically and laterally, Fig. 5, represents on small scale a transverse vertical section of the drawer or receptacle, showing two sizes of cards located therein. Fig. 6, is a similar view to Fi 5, but showing three sizes of cards within the drawer or receptacle, and Fig. 7 represents small blocks adapted to fill the space in the drawer or receptacle behind the follower block.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3Q, 1911.

Serial No. 580,053.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

1, is the front, 2, the rear, and 3 the bottom of the drawer or receptacle secured together by the sides 4, in the usual manner. The bottom 3 on each side is formed with two or more steps 5, which constitute the supports for cards of varying widths as clearly shown at Fig. 6, and likewise of cards of varying heights. A rearwardly beveled block 7 is to be located against the front of the drawer and a substantially similar follower block 8 is located upon the highest step of the bottom.

Varying sizes of cards both as to their lateral and vertical dimensions are represented at 9, 10 and 11, by Figs. 2, 3 and 4 respectively, while one of the filling blocks 12 adapted to fill the space behind the follower block 8 is illustrated at Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1, the cards of the widest dimension are indicated by the numeral 9, and they are also shown in reduced scale at Fig. 6, while in the said figure, 10 and 11 illustrate cards of respectively reduced width and increased height, all so supported upon the steps of the bottom of the drawer or receptacle, that their upper extremities lie in substantially the same horizontal plane, while the risers of the several steps of the bottom serve to hold them in proper vertical position and against any lateral movement.

The angular block 7 adjacent to the front of the drawer or receptacle tends to support the cards at a suitable angle to permit of their being readily vibrated toward the angular follower block 8 in an obvious manner. It will be obvious that the follower block 8 which is designed to be supported upon the highest step 5, of the bottom 3 may be moved longitudinally upon said step to contract or enlarge the space between the same and the front block 7, and that the filler blocks 12 located between the risers of the lowest step 5 of the bottom 3, will tend to prevent any rearward movement of the follower block 8.

From the construction shown and described it will be readily seen, that a single drawer or receptacle may be readily adapted to receive and support cards of varying lateral and vertical dimensions by providing the base or bottom 3 with a series of steps 5 in tread and riser adaptable to the variations of the cards designed to be located in the drawer or receptacle.

While I have shown and described my improved drawer or receptacle as designed to accommodate cards of three sizes in the manner described, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited in this respect, and that cards of varying dimensions above such number may be provided for by a corresponding increase in the number of supporting steps. While I have shown and described these steps as being made or located in the bottom 3, it will be understood that such steps may be made in the sides at. As the follower block 8 is of such dimensions as to be supported and movable upon the highest card supporting step 5, it will serve to support cards of any variable dimensions.

Having described the construction and advantages of my improved card index drawer or receptacle what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A card index drawer or receptacle adapted to receive and support in vertical and lateral position index cards of variable, vertical and lateral dimensions with their upper edges in the same horizontal plane, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. A card index drawer or receptacle consisting of a front, rear, side and bottom portion provided with a series of steps leading from the sides to the bottom and adapted to support cards of varying Widths and depths, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

3. In an index card drawer or receptacle such as described a series of steps consisting of treads and risers between the sides and bottom, a follower block adapted to be supported upon the uppermost tread of the steps, and one or more filler blocks adapted to be supported upon the bottom of the drawer or receptacle between the risers of the lowermost step, substantially as set forth.

4. In a card index drawer or receptacle such as described and provided with a series of steps between its sides and bottoms and adapted to receive and support cards of varying dimensions, an angular block adjacent to the front of the drawer or receptacle, a follower block supported upon the highest step and adapted to longitudinal movement thereon, and one or more filler blocks located behind said follower block and supported upon the bottom of the drawer or receptacle substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER J. RUDOLPH. lVit-nesses CHRISTIAN J. H. MARTIN, NELSON MARKLUND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

